Belfast's HMV store is once again under threat just over a month after it was taken over by Canadian music retailer Sunrise Records.
The Donegall Arcade outlet was included in the portfolio of shops sold as part of a rescue deal with Doug Putman's firm at the start of February.
But the Belfast Telegraph now understands that the potential closure of the last HMV in Northern Ireland is not linked to the music chain's administration, but instead stems from a failure to agree new terms with Donegall Arcade's landlord, Sports Direct.
Mike Ashley's company bought the 75,000 sq ft city centre retail hub in 2015, opening a Sports Direct outlet in the former Curry's unit.
The complex is home to retailers including Game and TK Maxx.
Just weeks after heaving a sigh of relief when Sunrise rescued their jobs, staff at HMV were yesterday left to erect prominent closing down signs in the windows of the city centre premises.
Announcing to customers that 'Everything must go', staff informed shoppers that the store is earmarked for closure on April 28, or sooner if all the stock is sold.
At this stage it appears unlikely that HMV will seek another premises in Belfast.
